This is a short and simple story from Japan, with suggested activities for children over the age of 8. Contributed by storyteller Senga Munro, who states:

‘I first came across this story in a collection of bedtime stories and this is my retelling. I like this story because it shows how knowledge in the past was handed down to the new generations through story.

‘Tsunamis are a recurrent event in Japan and the tale teaches how you can recognise the signs of a big wave coming: the tide going very far out and the unnatural silence that follows. I also like the fact that the old man is the hero of the day.’

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TRACS (Traditional Arts & Culture Scotland SC043009) brings together the Traditional Music Forum (SC042867), the Scottish Storytelling Forum (SC020891) and the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland (SC045085). TRACS is based at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, which is a partnership project between the Storytelling Forum and The Church of Scotland (SC011353).